The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-18
A RARE HYPOCH0NDRIAC.
Strange Story of the Connecticut Man Who
Had Smallpox Internally.

on line insanity Laws, brings TO my nina
noted case, which, transpiring in Hartford,
Conn, in the years from ls47 to 1S49, was we'll
verified and fully reported in the papers of that
time. was then young man, living in that
vicinity, and well remember the discussions,
pro and con, attendant upon the case. 1t oc-
Cured in the practice of DIR. Todd, the first
physician to the Insane Asylum in Hartford.
and this report is taken Verbatim from
the Hartford Chronicle of July 13, 1849. AS
there were then, as now, friends of the sufferer
residing IN Hartford, the name of the person is
not used. but all the statements be verified.
The subject of it robust. hard working
man. by trade stone-mason. He had, and so
believed been exposed to the contagion of small
pox, and under the impression that spare diet
would essentially mitigate the virulence of the
disease, from a previous full diet, in which he
formerly INDUCED and in which animal food
formed a large share, he restricted himself to
diet entirely vegetable and this too. in so
limited quantity hardly sufficient to
sustain life. This change in his mode of living.
combined with the depressing influence of fear,
from anticipation of a loarhsome and fatal dis
ease. soon reduced his athletic frame aud IL
volved him in all the horrors Of hypochondria.
The time soon arrived when, according to his
calculations, the smallpox ought to make its
appearance, but not peck or pmple could he
find upon himself. A new cause of apprehension
now took en- tire possession of his mind, viz:
that he had the disease internally. and that il
was prey ing upon and destroying his system.
Under this impression he consulted physician.
who, after listening to the history Of his case.
and making careful examination. assured him
that his apprehensions were entirely groundless,
and existed only in his Imagination.
ry to the hypochondriac He was thus easily
to be reasoned out of his senses This hysician
at dismissed wanting in skill
to discover and understand the nature of his
complaint. a second and third physician
were successfully called, they concurring in the
decision of the first one. But the patient, as is
common in such cases. would sooner believe the
whole medical fraternity at fault than himself
The unfortunate subject of mental Authorization
his room, and resigned himself to his fate. In
the meantime his once ROBUST form had become
atten ted almost to skin and bones.
His friends now become seriously alarmed
to his condition DR. Todd was then quite
young, and resided a. Farmngton His reputa-
ton had spread into / the neighboring towns,
aeement Of mental diseases had e,ninently quail
flied him to take charge of the insane, and his
talent had in quite numerous instances been
manifested.
A brother of the patient called DR.. Todd
and stated his case, and assured the Doctor
that the patients confidence in the medical fac
ulty gone, and that it without the pa
TENTS knowledge that he (the doctor) was con-
suited. A plan was soon arranged by which
Dr. Todd should happen to pass the house of
the patient -, and be called in as
driving at rapid rate through the street
where the patient lived He was hailed by the
messenger, and in p tone OF voice overheard by
the SICK person requested to call and see his
brother. who had for some time suffered from
iii health The doctor alighted. and soon
introduced to the patient but was received
Is nS-rt1f& v.o%
even raising his eyes to look at him. could
he, by any kind of attention or inquiries. elicit
word from hisssullen and despairing patient.
With a tact peculiar to himself, the doctor
commenced very minute and careful
animation of the patient-tirst looking carefully
into his eyes, his ears and his nose; then rising
the rooIn, il in the utmost astonshment, and
could hardly credit his senses, at the same
time calculating in an undertone:
us it possible? Who could ever have thought
it? Can it be!
Then resuming his place by the side of the
patient, he went through examination still
more minute Again leaving his seat he con-
tinued his coloquv:
''It is fact! There can be no mistake. and
yet the like is not to be found in the records of
medicine"
By this time the patients attention was
aroused and breaking through his taeiturnity.
he exclaimed:
what! what what is it DR. Todd2D
why sir, something very singular in your
case but as am under any obligation to
you for the discovery. will keep it to myself.
More than that, sir, it is as much as a physi-
clan S reputation Is worth even to advance such
an opinion"
Doctor" said the patient, ST must know it.
l will do anything in my power you ask of me,
if you will only tell me-"
We'll, sir, replied the doctor, eff tell you,
it must ever be profound secret between our
selves"
To this the patient readily assented
Then, SIR" continued the doctor. ''you must
know that you have the small pox internally
In an instant with all the strength he could
command. the patient sprane from his chair,
and, seizing the doctor by the hand. he ex-
claimed:
You are the doctor for me, This is just
what have been telling the doctors, but not
one of them would believe q word OF It. Now
is there any remedy for such case? Is there
any hope for melr
Il think there 49, said the doctor "But mark
me. everything depends upon adhering closely to
my directions. There are three ways by which
this disease may be eradlcated. One is by in
sensible perspiratiop, another by internal RENE
dies, and the third by bringing it out upon the
surface, in the regular form of an eruption"
Let 1t be the last one" was the quick re-
Spouse of the patient. LET have ocular
proof OF the disease and shall be satisfied"
The patient was ordered to resume a course OF
nutritious Diet by which he rapidly regained
health and strength, at the same time taking
some harmless medical preparation, which the
doctor assured him would, in due season, bring
forth the desired eruption. When the specified
time arrived. the doctor directed the nurse to
stre~ the patients bed with cowhage, an article
known to most persons for producing an erup-
ton, accompanied with intolorable itching
when applied to the skin. His bed was thus
prepared on the night in which the doctors skill
was to be tested, and the patient retired rest.
He had not been long bed. when, to his
great satisfaction, the itching commenced: but
wishing to be fully assured that all was right.
he Immediately called for light and found the
surface of his body entire blotch. Fully sat
isfed with the proof, he patiently endured the
suffering until morning Soon after he re-
sumed his business and was never again
troubled with the smallpox internally.
MoNTEzUMA, Sept. IA.
New Society Needed.
Mrs. Frank Leslie, in N. Y. M all and Express.